Windelo 54 Adventure testimonial testimony green energy catamaran electric

WINDELO 54 Owner testimonial: B Cube crossed the Atlantic using ONLY green energies

Manon and Robert, owners of B Cube, a Windelo 54 Adventure, crossed the Atlantic in twelve days while using only green energy! All this was possible thanks to the different innovations on board their eco-catamaran, such as the 3300-watt solar panels, hydrogenation, and the Boat Management System for managing the production and consumption of their onboard energy. And they are excited to share their crossing experience with all of us!

A testimonial: an Atlantic crossing aboard a Windelo 54

“Owners of a Windelo 54 Adventure for two months and still learning, we began crossing the Atlantic on February 8 from the Mindelo marina.

For our crossing, it took us 12 days to sail the 2 300 nautical miles between the island of Sao Vincente in Cape Verde and Barbados. The squalls and the strong swell accompanied us from start to finish. All our sails came in handy; we were very conservative and took much caution at night. We passed only two freighters before our final approach.

We set a goal: to complete the route without ever starting the generator since we easily crossed from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde without using it. Planning was, therefore, at the center of our onboard energy management.

Our continuous consumption went to power our Starlink internet connection, the autopilot, the onboard electronics, and the refrigerator. The occasional consumption goes to the electric winch, the hob, the oven, the water heater, the watermaker, the washing machine, and of course, our tablets, telephones, and reading lights throughout the journey.

Thanks above all to hydrogenation, which completes our solar panels, we kept our battery bank at a level allowing the occasional use of the electric motors while adjusting the sails.

We attribute the achievement of our goal to the constant use of weather forecast models and route planners (which allowed us to find the route according to the win), to a complete set of sails that enabled us to sail in all weathers, and to our consumption management.

We completed this very comfortable crossing with 80% left in the batteries and the certainty that we can attack the next crossing without fossil fuel.”

M&R

It was a transatlantic crossing rich in experience and emotions. Convinced of the capacity of their catamaran, the B Cube crew is ready for new adventures! And we can’t wait to share their next journey with you.

To stay in touch with all the adventures of B Cube and her owners, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media!


Windelo 50 Adventure

BOAT TEST: WINDELO 50 ADVENTURE - SAILING TODAY

Boat Test : Windelo 50

There is nothing wrong with a bit of conformity. Even as humans we all have a certain desire to blend in and melt into the background. Yet, as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. This certainly rings true on boat tests where, from time to time, you find yourself confronted with a yacht so bland that you are left struggling to find anything to say. This is not an accusation that could be levelled at the Windelo 50.

 

[…]

Concept

On one basic level the Windelo 50 is a conformist. It wants to be a comfortable, top end blue water catamaran in same bracket as, say, Outremer as opposed to Lagoon. To achieve that, the boat has to be reasonably lightweight but also well fitted out, feature decent performance but also the ability to be sailed across oceans with confidence. To achieve these aims the company tamed up with the highly respected team of Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman who have worked extensively with the likes of Outremer and Catana in the past and produced a hull with the aim of providing strong performance even when the boat is fully loaded up.

 

[…]

Cockpit

Step aboard the Windelo and you are immediately aware that this is a boat that is just that little bit different. The cockpit, for example is not where you’d expect it to be but has instead been shifted well forward, sitting in front of the main living area and just abaft the mast. There are twin helms and large windows, while sliding doors provide masses of light and air but also mean you can shut out the elements if needs be.

 

[…]


Windelo 54 Adventure nouveauté nouveautés caractéristiques catamaran

Windelo 54 Adventure: Check Out the Latest Features of the B Cube Catamaran

B Cube, the brand new Windelo 54 Adventure has set sail. With its Battleship Grey wrap, it instantly stands out and catches the eye. B Cube is a 54-foot ocean-cruising catamaran designed to meet the specific needs of its owners. Like all the Windelo boats, it is a seaworthy, comfortable, ecological high-performance sailboat made using eco-friendly materials, provided with an electric engine, and producing green energy. And this mix of comfort and performance was a precondition when these new Windelo sailors chose their catamaran. But B Cube differs in the number of layout customizations chosen by its owners, such as the 6-leaf sliding glass door, two large openings between the forward cockpit and the saloon, and the port float wholly transformed into an owner suite.

New Features of the Windelo 54 Adventure

Each of your sailing adventures is unique; this is why we offer our customers a wide range of options that allow them to customize their catamaran. Together with the owners of B Cube, we selected options that met their expectations and matched their program perfectly.

Nacelle

A 6-leaf sliding glass door was installed aft of the nacelle, creating an opening extending over 3 meters. You can choose to open this entrance at the center by sliding three leaves to either side using a three-track system, or you can position all the leaves on one side, giving the galley or quarter berth more privacy. While mooring or sailing, all you need to do is slide the wide aft door open to take the max of magnificent mooring spots while maintaining privacy in a section of the nacelle.

Another option they chose involved inserting two large windows in the bulkhead between the forward cockpit and the saloon. These enhance the feeling of a broad view and also give you a full view of the aft transom platforms from the helm station, not to mention the horizon from the galley and saloon spaces.

U-shaped Galley

Like the whole of the boat’s design, our galley units are made of ecological materials. The owners picked our U-shaped galley for the nacelle layout, which is practical and has several advantages. Its ergonomic design improves the flow of movement. It has lots of storage space and a large worktop to prepare your favorite food. Thanks to a convivial bar-style return, you can enjoy pleasant evenings in the company of family or friends.

This U-shaped galley also reorganizes the layout of the starboard float, with a companionway further forward.

Cabins

This 54 Adventure is an owner version – with three cabins. On the starboard are two cabins with large comfortable beds and lots of storage space. As on all the Windelo catamarans, all the cabins have extra-large portholes, opening onto the surrounding natural environment.

On the portside, you find the owner suite with:
• An extensive aft cabin with a queen-size bed, lots of storage space, and a stunning view of the sea and the surroundings.
• A spacious desk in the corner that can be closed off.
• A dressing space beside the shower room.
• An extra-large shower room in the forepeak (instead of the usual fourth cabin). It also includes a full-beam shower, a large washbasin, a toilet, and lots of different spaces for storage.

Windelo 54 Adventure
Windelo 54 Adventure

We have used the floats’ full potential, providing comfortable, relaxing living conditions suitable for long cruises.

All the characteristics above make the B Cube a catamaran specially designed for and with its owners. The options picked emphasize practicality, comfort, and well-being on board. It is now ready to set sail for new adventures and explore magnificent magical places!


atlantic tour windelo 50 adventure

The 1st Windelo 50 Adventure catamaran and her fabulous North Atlantic Tour

An exclusive interview with the Hakuna Matata crew

At Windelo, we follow with passion the adventures of our catamarans. Hakuna Matata (a Windelo 50 Adventure), the first Windelo catamaran to set sail in 2021, has crossed the Atlantic twice in less than a year and is back in Canet-en-Roussillon. With more than 20,000 nautical miles and a 10-month Atlantic cruise under its belt, Hakuna Matata has proved that a transition to efficient, high-performance, eco-friendly sailing is possible for the boating industry.

In this article, Matthieu and his family tell us everything about their trip: the preparation, the journey, the performance of their catamaran, the forward cockpit, electric propulsion, and autonomy! Discover their impressions, feelings, and best memories!

A Look Back on the Adventure of Matthieu and His Family, the Owners of Hakuna Matata

Their Voyage

After more than ten years of chartering on the Mediterranean Sea and the coast of Brittany, Matthieu and his family felt like taking to the ocean for a new, almost year-long family adventure. Matthieu chose Windelo for the elegant design of its catamarans and the innovative concepts, such as the forward cockpit and the electric propulsion system. He explains, “Windelo has designed a unique boat, combining sailing performance and an enjoyable quality of life on board for all the family.”
A few months after the launch of Hakuna Matata and a summer in the Mediterranean, Matthieu, Perrine, and their son Youri set off on a 10-month cruise aboard their Windelo 50 Adventure.

Hakuna Matata and its crew left Canet-en-Roussillon marina on 17 October 2021 and set sail for the Spanish coast and then the Canaries before sailing across the Atlantic to Martinique. After a few weeks of sailing in the West Indies and the Caribbean, they sailed Hakuna Matata to the United States Coast, heading North to Florida, New York, Boston, and then Canada. Matthieu and Perrine wanted to tour the North Atlantic and sail in all weather conditions and at all latitudes. They have now done this, with a return crossing between St Pierre and Miquelon and Iceland, before setting sail for the Faroe Islands, Scotland, and then the French Atlantic coast. This wonderful family adventure came to a close in August 2022 on the coast of Brittany. Hakuna Matata was then skippered to the Mediterranean to return to its home port, Canet-en-Roussillon.

windelo 50 adventure spotting postcard New york

Their Impressions and Feelings

Performance

“Sailing on the Windelo 50 is very enjoyable. The boat accelerates well, is quick in light winds, and is very stable on the sea. It makes exceptionally good progress upwind, and for me, this was a big surprise since I had never had a chance to sail on daggerboard catamarans before.”

The lighter the catamaran, the better its performance. The Windelo 50 Adventure catamaran weighs 11.2 metric tons. “We planned a load of 2 metric tons and seemed to stay within 1.5 metric tons, in the knowledge that the boat has a payload capacity of 2.6 metric tons. Since the weight distribution is very low and central to the cockpit, the center of gravity is always perfectly positioned. We regularly sailed at 13, 14, and 15 knots and reached surf speeds of up to 23/24 knots. Hakuna Matata sailed easily at an apparent wind of 35°, and tacking was incredibly simple with the self-tacking solent. The catamaran tacks easily in just 3 knots of wind.”

Matthieu’s Favorite Feature Is the Forward Cockpit

“Now that I’ve tried it, I would find going back to and aft helm station unbearable. When it was closed, we were perfectly protected from the spray and wind in the forward cockpit. Everyone is safe in the cockpit, and in all weather conditions, including young children. And in calmer weather, you can open the doors and enjoy sailing as if you were outside.

In the 20,000 nautical miles and eight months of sailing, only a bucketful of water entered the space. The Windelo is a real sailor’s boat, with a special focus on the crew’s comfort while sailing. Add to that the opening onto the saloon and the fact that the helmsman is never far from the rest of the family, and you have the ideal boat for people like us, who like to clock up miles.”

Ecology

The Windelo 50 Adventure proved its range on this cruise.
“In eight months, we only used 800 liters of diesel, which is very little when you consider that this includes heating during the period spent in colder sailing zones. The boat had practically no need for fossil fuel. We had 3500 W of solar panels and, of course, hydro generation under sail. We love sailing, and we are the kind of people who like clocking up miles rather than staying several days at the same anchorage. This means that we very often sail on full batteries, and when we get to an anchorage, we have plenty of power for life on board.
On our outward crossing from the Canaries to the West Indies, four of us lived aboard and never had to turn on the generator. We arrived in Le Marin using only electric power. [Windelo] has made some very good innovations in electric/hybrid propulsion systems. After a few months of testing with the boatyard, the system was completely mature and really stood up to the test of our voyage. As far as I know, it is the first sailing catamaran to integrate a real electric and hybrid configuration.”

Some Travel Memories

The most impressive part of the journey for Matthieu was the Atlantic crossing between Canada and Iceland. “We had really bad weather and sailing conditions, with a cross sea and pyramid-shaped waves, seven to eight meters high! The forward cockpit proved itself to be very practical. Protected from the wind and cold, we were dry, and barely a bucketful of water entered the space once everything was closed – and above all, the cockpit is on the boat’s center of gravity, drastically reducing our movement in troughs of eight meters. It helped us hold out physically, and we felt better and much safer than if we were outside, even though it was really daunting.”
What was the most incredible moment? “When we entered New York by night, after a rough night’s sailing. We were enchanted by the size of the city, with illuminated buildings and advertising boards, so typical of this huge city.”


WINDELO 54 owner interview of Eric et Pascal

Just back from four weeks of cruising in the Balearic Islands, on their Windelo 54 Yachting called Zig Zag, Eric, Pascal, and their families made a stopover near Canet-en-Roussillon, France. It was the ideal opportunity to plan an owner interview and talk about their sailing program, impressions, and why they chose Windelo for their first jointly owned catamaran.

Let’s get to know the owners of Zig Zag!

Eric and Pascal, the proud co-owners of the Windelo 54 Yachting called Zig Zag (launched in March 2022), have a special connection through sailing, traveling, and eco-friendliness.

Why is the boat called Zig Zag? The friends share two passions: sailing and skiing. Their hearts are divided between a series of tacks at sea and zigzagging down the slopes. So, for this joint purchase, it seemed natural to name the boat after their shared passions! Eric is very keen on sailing and speed. He is also a seasoned sailor, mostly on monohulls. Then, after a few years’ break, when his children were born, and with a head full of dreams from leafing through the boating press, he decided to take the plunge and start sailing again. On the other hand, Pascal comes from the world of motor yachts and loves traveling, exploring different cultures, and spending time at and near the sea.

The two friends were already, for several years, the joint owners of a small motorboat to go boating on lakes. However, their wanderlust and their yearning to explore new far-off destinations got the better of them. Together with their families, they decided to buy a catamaran. Their dream was to sail the seas and the oceans for several months on their retirement.

They learned about Windelo catamarans through the boating press and were fascinated by the concept of an open nacelle with a panoramic sea view. While on vacation in Sardinia, they saw an article on a new brand building eco-friendly boats that caught their eye. They liked the design of the nacelle, which instantly made them think of a loft opening onto the sea. Pascal is very ecologically minded, so the factory visit, where they saw the eco-friendly build, the electric motors, and how it produced green energy, all contributed to making the project a reality.

This is how the project began! Together, they became the owners of a Windelo 54 Yachting, a bluewater catamaran that will take them to explore the world.

Windelo 54 Owner Interview !

Sailing

Eric, Pascal, you are just back from a four-week vacation on your Windelo. What was your sailing program?

Initially, our program was to sail around the Balearic Islands. We ended up sailing a little further with a few additional stopovers. We sailed practically 1,000 nautical miles in all. We set sail from Hyères and sailed 140 nautical miles to the marina of Canet-en-Roussillon, before heading to the Spanish coast. Then we sailed to Cadaqués and Barcelona before finally reaching the Balearic Islands.

We had plenty of opportunities to soak up the Spanish way of life and to visit and explore beautiful natural spaces and fabulous towns with friends and family. We spent a lot of time exploring Barcelona, which we were unfamiliar with. Then we enjoyed exploring the Balearic Islands together in wonderful sailing conditions, particularly around Majorca, Formentera, and Ibiza. We returned to Majorca, where part of the family stayed ashore, and we returned to the coast of France, anchoring at the Anse de Paulilles, a historic site on the Mediterranean coast in the Pyrénées-Orientales. This beach is perfect for getting away from it all. It is the first sandy beach you see when you come back from the Spanish coast, and with its clear blue water, it is a perfect place for mooring. As Pascal says: “We enjoyed some wonderful sailing in steady unchanging winds. The Windelo 54 is a seaworthy boat that comfortably and easily sails at 14 knots. We were truly at one with the sea.”

The four-week cruise ended at Collioure in pleasantly mild weather. It was an excellent vacation allowing us to test our catamaran on long sailing trips, in good wind conditions, shorthanded, or with family and friends on board.

What were your impressions of the Windelo 54 after a few weeks on board?

Eric: We both agreed that the cruise was a good mix of simple sailing, fun, enjoyment, and comfort. The boat performs well and is very safe. Anyone can enjoy sailing this boat, whether a seasoned sailor or a novice. She’s easy to maneuver. We hoist the sails with barely any true wind. She really is a joy to sail.

Pascal: From one short hop to another, from joy to satisfaction, from pleasure to sensations! Everyone on board loved everything about the boat. It was a wonderful sailing experience.

The performance of the Windelo 54 Yachting seems to have won over, or at least pleasantly surprised, our circle of family and friends. On several occasions, we had friends on board, and they were impressed when we sailed with the Code 0 and the gennaker. We sail at true wind speed. It’s fantastic.

Forward cockpit and engine

Let us take a closer look at the technical details. You chose the Windelo for its originality. How would you describe the forward cockpit?

Comfortable would be the first word that comes to our mind to describe the Windelo cockpit. It has a panoramic view of the sea and is easy to steer with navigation instruments at your fingertips. Sailing the catamaran couldn’t be simpler. It’s quite surprising on a boat this size, and at the same time, it is reassuring, especially at night and when the wind picks up. For example, you can reef safely, and it’s easy to do so.

For us, sailing is about sharing time with family or friends. The crew can take advantage of the boat’s forward cockpit, where everything is within easy preach, and everyone can enjoy sharing time in ideal safety conditions. There’s no need to go on deck or outside in the cold.

Eric: She’s an extremely sound seaworthy boat. She responds well, and it’s a joy to maneuver. Having sailed many monohulls myself, when we luff up and bear away with the Windelo 54, we instantly feel the helm responding and the water flowing. It’s very satisfying.

In the city, you are accustomed to driving electric cars. Was the electric motor one of the deciding factors in buying your sailboat?

Yes, the motor was among the most important factors in choosing this boat, along with the technical, economic, and ecological considerations.

Whether we were sailing or running on the motor, the boat was moving in complete silence, compared to a boat with a diesel engine. The boat barely vibrates at all, thanks to the electric power. These big rumbling vibrations and not being able to sleep when the engines run, are things of the past for us. Electric power gives a completely different and utterly magical experience. And the output is outstanding.

As for hydrogeneration, when we sail at 8 to 10 knots, we generate 0.6 to 1 kWh per motor, allowing us to recharge our battery bank completely. It works really well.

For the daily energy outlay, the 3,300 W solar panels alone compensate for the power we use aboard (fridge, lights, dishwasher, water heater, etc.), which is a real plus for us, particularly when we spend days at anchor.

In other words, we don’t need to start the generator to keep our home comfortable, whether sailing or at anchor. This means that we have an excellent cruising range, and it drastically reduces our fuel consumption as well as our environmental footprint.

Living space aboard

Occasionally on your cruise, there were many people on board. How did you organize life aboard?

When planning this project, it was important to us to have a large social space on the boat, enabling us to interact easily with everyone on board; Windelo represented exactly our dream. And this was how it worked out on a daily basis; we enjoyed the bright open loft-style space and made the most of it. The shared living space is well-designed and thought-through, and on top of being spacious, the saloon is also extremely bright. It completely opens onto the sea and the nature around us thanks to the large windows and the lifting door creating continuity between the outdoor space and the interior of the nacelle.

Regarding the accommodations, four double cabins and a skipper cabin are essential when the boat is being used under charter management. This gives us a lot of space. There is a very big sail locker with enough space to store the gennaker and solent, along with our belongings and watersports toys when the boat is being chartered. The engine rooms for electric motors are also spacious, giving us plenty of storage possibilities. The boat is designed for a pleasant life on board with all the appliances you would find at home: dishwasher, washing machine, entertainment equipment, and so on.

The boat is also very comfortable when sailing with a large crew;  we lived on board with up to 9 or 10 people, each had their own space to relax in the daytime, and all on the same level (trampoline, central cockpit, quarter berth/lounge seat, three benches, chart table/desk space, etc.).

Already at very first sight, you notice Windelo has a striking amount of space. Two couples stayed on board with us for a week. It was their first time on the Windelo 54, and they were amazed that we could all have our own space without getting in each other’s way.

Boatyard experience

Let’s back up to the start of this adventure; what inspired your purchase of a Windelo?

We learned about the Windelo project in July 2020 when we were sailing in Sardinia on a chartered monohull. We opened the Windelo webpage with the photomontage of the boat (the Windelo 54) with all its doors and windows open, and it looked like a loft on the sea. We saw an eco-friendly article about this boat and instantly thought, ‘Wow’! And when we visited the factory in October 2020, our reaction was justified.

Comment s’est construit votre projet d’achat avec l’équipe Windelo ?

Pascal: The boatyard’s feedback is excellent. They helped us from start to finish. The Windelo staff is always readily available to answer our questions, and there is always someone to help us. They really look out for you at Windelo, which is very reassuring as a customer. There are no good or bad questions, whether it concerns a future improvement for the boats or the miles you intend to sail. You can talk about or discuss anything. And it’s reassuring to have a team of technical staff with solid experience, despite the relatively new boatyard. They are a highly professional team. They are passionate about what they do and will always help you fulfill your passion and your project, and they will fit out and make changes to your boat to match your expectations.

Eric agrees: Buying the 1st Windelo 54 Yachting built by Windelo was a big gamble for us. Honestly, we were expecting quite a few problems, but this second model is very well designed. We didn’t have any major issues to correct, and the small technical details were followed up really well by the yard in the caring fashion that Pascal describes.

Finally, has this purchase won you over?

Pascal: Very much so. Today, our dream has come true, completely matching the promises outlined in the article about layout, design, and innovations.


Postcard from the Hakuna Matata adventure

Hakuna Matata New York, New York

Nearly 10,000 nautical miles on the clock for Hakuna Matata: not bad at all for this catamaran with electric motors that was launched a year ago.

For us, the most distinctive feature of the Windelo 50 is the forward cockpit, which is a delight. The electric drivetrain also works very well. We have now completed 60% of our North Atlantic circuit. We left the West Indies and the Bahamas at the beginning of April – roughly a month too early – to soil up the East coast in rother cool temperatures. The trip up with the Gulf Stream was impressive in terms of performance, with three to four knots of favorable current ·for several days. Otherwise, and without current, Hakuna is keeping its promise under soi\, with a peak of 22.2 knots – in the surf of course – and good performances at 13 or 14 knots, without surf. We have just arrived in Boston and ore finally enjoying the start of summer. The smaller the harbors, the more fun it is to meet people. We often find free docks for visiting boats in the yacht clubs of small towns: the welcome is extraordinary,  with loan cars etc. With the American East Coast, we found a lot of history and cultural activities that we had missed out on, such as museums and lovely towns like Charleston or Nantucket. lt reminded us of sailing in Brittany. But it was New York City where we experienced our greatest excitement, arriving at night in this mythical anchorage just 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the Statue of Liberty, with a breathtaking view of Manhattan. lt’s now Mid-June, and we ore leaving for Iceland, with hopefully a stop in Greenland if the weather conditions allow. Then the Faroe Islands, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and finally Brittany. We plan to arrive in Vannes around August 15th. We have now ordered the same catamaran but in the 54 feet version. So Hakuna Matata will soon be up for sale, after a service at the shipyard in September.


360 tour Windelo 54 Yachting

360 tour of the Windelo 54 Yachting

Time to visit Zig Zag! The 360 tour of the boat is now online!

Wherever you are: sailing in the middle of the ocean, spending time in nature, reading at your desk, or just being cozy at home, you have an exceptional opportunity to step right aboard the Windelo 54 Yachting.

You will see it all! The much-talked-about forward cockpit, the fully equipped galley, the saloon with its aft platform transforming into a large terrace extending your living space into the outdoors, and you can also peak into the four bright cabins.

The well-thought-through innovative design was developed with the Barreau-Neuman tandem and our design team. You will definitely appreciate the abundant natural light and space, as the boat was designed to maximize views in all directions and offer optimal comfort while exploring the world.


Windelo 54 Yachting mise a l'eau

Windelo Celebrates the Launch of its 2nd Model, a Windelo 54, in Yachting version!

On Friday, 25 March 2022, the Windelo team successfully set the expansion of its line in motion with the launch of the 1st WINDELO 54 YACHTING!

Following the success of the Windelo 50 and its many nominations, the Windelo has marked another milestone with the launch of its second model, a Windelo 54 Yachting!
Imagined and designed in partnership with the French architect duo Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, both well known for the performance of their catamarans, the Windelo 54 is the brand’s second model. Like the Windelo 50, the Windelo 54 comes in three versions (Adventure, Yachting, Sport), which means that we now offer six models in two different sizes.

The Windelo 54 Yachting, a new eco-friendly catamaran model, will be WORLD PREMIERED at the 2022 La Grande Motte International Multihull Show. The first Windelo 54 Yachting, called Zig Zag, will be based in Hyères for the 2022 season and will have a skippered charter program.

Experience the Windelo 54 launching!

Friday, 25 March 2022, the first Windelo 54 Yachting was launched, and we are so glad to share with you this important day!

Discover the launching video of the Windelo 54 Yachting

Want to learn more?

Book your private tour of the WINDELO 54 Yachting

at the International Multihull Show
in La Grande Motte

from 20 to 24 April 2022.

Book your private tour of the WINDELO 54 YACHTING

yachting world - Windelo 50 boat test

WINDELO 50 boat test by Yachting World

Toby Hodges from Yachting World magazine, was onboard the Windelo 50 at Port Ginesta. Discover his Windelo 50 boat test video and his full sea trial article!

“A REFRESHING NEW BRAND BUILDING FAST AND SPACIOUS CATS OUT OF VOLCANIC ROCK A D PLASTIC BOTTLES? TOBY HOOGES WAS INTRIGUED

This French start-up venture might just have paved new way forward in production yacht building, Windelo is the brainchild of the Kauffmanns,
a father and son team who wanted to create something altogether different from the norm and to build boats that have half the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts. The result is an intriguing package – from the clean styling, modular interior and novel layout to the electric propulsionthe Windelo 50 is completely fresh.
Having followed this project for the last three year, I was aware of the R&D the new yard had put into materials and its strive for a greener product. What I wasn’t quite expecting is the sailing rewards.
The forward cockpit design combined with the yacht’s performance could surprise many…

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

In an era where the big yards should be leading by example rather than greenwashing, few go to the extent that newcomers Windelo has. Olivier Kauffmann (Ex-CEO of Orange Marine) and his son Gautier spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite with Ecole Nationale des Mines d’Alès before establishing a shipyard for their new range of catamarans in Canet-en-Roussillon in 2019.
Their bold move has have a positive reaction – with nine orders for their 50s and 54s, which shows considerable confidence in a new forward-thinking brand.

Windelo developped what it describes as an eco-composite of basalt fibre and PET foam (see panel, far right). It also has a semi-custom approach, offering its models in three guises: Sport, Yachting (luxury) and Adventure (bluewater), which is the model we tested.

[…]

BEST OF THE REST

Despite the attention to the materials ans system it has used, Windelo says many of its buyers are drawn to the contemporary design, the near srround views and inside/outside feel.
The various sliding and articulating parts make it a transformer boat – once at rest, you can really open up the ‘interior’ to maximise space and ventilation.
Toughened glass with narrow mullions is used around the cockpit and coachroof to maximise the views, while sliding doors and windows accentuate the lofty feel. A full-width rear door slides up into the headlining to open out the saloon to the aft cockpit/transom area. This tilt-and-slide garage door (first developed by Bali) negates the need for doubling up furniture in the saloon and cockpit.

[…]

Despite the narrow hulls at waterline level, the cabins all feel voluminous, no doudt thanks to the supreme amount of natural light from the vast hull portlights and the novel quarter corner windows.

Wherever you look, the Windelo shows out-of-the-box thinking. It’s not perfect, but ti is certainly a spacious, performance bluewater cruiser with some key attributes.

Windelo 50 boat test: OUR VERDICT

If you just took the Windelo design, including accommodation and cockpit layout and performance, you’d already have an enticing cruiser, which has plenty of options to suit individual needs. Factor-in the electric propulsion, regenegation and battery management system, then consider the material from which really stands out.
What stayed with me the most though is the mix of comfort and ease with which you can sail at a good pace, together with the ability to have your crewmates aroun you in a sociable space while sailing.
Windelo is daring to be different, and with its first model, has already largely succeeded.”


WINDELO 50 SPECIAL MENTIONING «SUSTAINABILITY», the windelo approach in terms of ecology

WINDELO 50 elected European Yacht Of The Year 2022 Special mentioning “Sustainability”

Our Windelo 50 has just been selected, by the prestigious jury of the European Yacht of the Year, for its high sustainability “as currently the most environmentally-friendly series boat in the world.”

What a great honor! To receive a special mention: SUSTAINABILITY with our first boat is a significant recognition for the whole team. Olivier and Gautier Kauffmann, the founders of Windelo, said: “We have tremendous faith in our project of catamarans combining performance, comfort, and important green credentials. And having this faith and hard work endorsed by a prestigious jury of the European Yacht of the Year is the best way to start the year 2022!”

Thank you to the jury, our clients, our team (R&D, design, construction, back office, marketing) and all of you who have been following us, for being part of our adventure.

Your enthusiasm is contagious! Together for sustainable sailing!


  • SALES MANAGER

    Windelo is a new conception brand of innovative catamarans. Ecology is at the heart of the company with the ambition to significantly reduce the environmental impact of our boats. A range of 44 to 60 foot catamarans offering sailors the opportunity to sail with pleasure and safety on eco-friendly boats.

    In full development, we are hiring a sales manager:

    JOB AND MISSIONS:

    Managed by the director of the company, and in connection with our various services and partners, you are a key player in the launch of this new brand.

    Real project manager:
    1. You co-build the Windelo sales and services office,
    2. You recruit, train, and drive progressively a team of passionate experts,
    3. You develop and innovate in the strategy of selling Windelo boats in Europe,
    4. You recruit and lead a global network of sales partners,
    5. You co-build and animate the company’s service strategy: port mapping places; insurance and financing; training; owner’s manual etc.

    YOUR PROFIL

    1. Passionate about sailing, you practice regularly,
    2. Your sense of service and customer leads you to satisfy your customers every day,
    3. You are enthusiastic and motivated to work in a start-up,
    4. You have 2 to 5 years’ experience in the sale of boats,
    5. Bilingual French – English, you also speak a third language: German, Italian, or Spanish.

    EVOLUTIVE JOB
    Director of sales

    AVAILABILITY / PLACE OF WORK
    1st Quarter 2019 / Occitanie Region, Canet en Roussillon FRANCE

    TYPE OF CONTRACT AND REMUNERATION
    Permanent contract / fixed to be defined according to experience + variable.

    If you are a passionate of sailing and this challenge to participate in the development of a company in full creation arouses your enthusiasm,
    welcome to send your application by e-mail to: contact@windelo-catamaran.com

  • RESPONSABLE DES VENTES

    Windelo consiste en la création d’une nouvelle marque de catamarans innovants. L’écologie est au coeur de l’entreprise avec pour ambition de réduire fortement l’impact environnemental de nos bateaux.
    Une gamme de catamarans de 44 à 60 pieds offrant aux marins la possibilité de naviguer avec plaisir et sécurité sur des bateaux éco responsables.

    En plein développement, nous recrutons un(e) responsable des ventes

    POSTE ET MISSIONS

    Managé(e) par le directeur de l’entreprise, et en lien avec nos différents services et partenaires, vous êtes un acteur clefs du lancement de cette nouvelle marque.
    Véritable chef de projet :

    1. Vous co-construisez le bureau des ventes et des services de Windelo,
    2. Vous recrutez, formez, et animez progressivement une équipe d’experts passionnés,
    3. Vous développez et innovez dans la stratégie de vente des bateaux Windelo en Europe,
    4. Vous recrutez et animez un réseau mondial de partenaires de vente,
    5. Vous co-construisez et animez la stratégie de service de l’entreprise : mapping des places de port ; assurance et financement ; formation ; entretien ; manuel du propriétaire etc.

    VOTRE PROFIL

    1. Passionné(e) de nautisme, vous naviguez régulièrement,
    2. Votre sens du service et du client vous anime pour satisfaire vos clients au quotidien,
    3. Vous êtes enthousiaste et motivé(e) à l’idée de travailler en équipe dans une « start-up »,
    4. Vous disposez de 2 à 5 ans d’expérience dans la vente de bateaux de plaisance,
    5. Bilingue français – anglais, vous maitrisez également une troisième langue : allemand, italien, ou espagnol.

    POSTE EVOLUTIF
    Directeur des ventes

    DISPONIBILITÉ / LIEU DE TRAVAIL
    1ier Trimestre 2019 / Région Occitanie, Canet en Roussillon FRANCE

    TYPE DE CONTRAT ET REMUNERATION
    CDI Cadre / Fixe à définir selon expérience + variable.

    Si vous êtes un(e) passionné(e) de l’univers du nautisme et que ce challenge de participer au développement d’une entreprise en pleine création suscite votre enthousiasme, merci d’adresser votre candidature par e-mail à : contact@windelo-catamaran.com

  • Researchers at the national School  « Mines  d’Ales »
    Patrick IENNY
    Didier PERRIN
    Ecological approach

    As part of the creation of new types of catamaran made in Occitanie, an audacious choice of ecological innovation has been selected in partnership with the Materials Center of « Mines d’Alès » (C2MA – IMT MINES ALES) (Gard, France). It’s a question of combining ecological performance in terms of minimizing the environmental footprint and structural resistance, and this, in a global approach of circular economy on all parts of the boat. To do this, and in connection with the IMT MINES ALES, Windelo has relied on the use of secondary raw materials, competitive  virgin petroleum-based materials, that fully comply with the specifications in terms of mechanical performance. This is a real first step to the development of a 2.0 fleet ships fully integrated into the challenges and ecological challenges of the 21st century.

    Resistance of materials and mechanical tests

    Associated with an ecological approach of circular economy integrating a not insignificant part of competitive secondary raw materials from virgin materials, the architectural design and the resistance of materials on the new Windelo catamarans are mechanically tested in the Materials Center of « Mines d’Alès » (C2MA – IMT MINES ALES) (Gard, France) in connection with the architects and designers of the project. The design of the ship, and in particular the hulls and bows, go through a search for efficient structuring and arranging of materials composing it, combined with a mechanically optimized geometrical assembly. To this end, specific test developments, such as the study of distortion of the structure and of the panels constituating the hull of the ship, are studied by digital image correlation techniques coupled with standardized strength tests.

  • Founder of Catana

    Christophe BARREAU
    Frédéric NEUMAN

    “The cruising program for this new boat raises the question of the antagonism between the search for performance under sail and the pleasure of navigation, and the development of pleasant living spaces.
    The originality of the answer is provided here in the arrangement of the cockpit bringing together the helm and maneuvers to the center of the boat and in the arrangement of living space that occupies the rear of the nacelle.

    Just behind the mast the outer cockpit offers two helm stations protected from the wind and spray, a beautiful view of the sails and bows, and allows to have all the maneuvers on hand while limiting the needs to circulate on the bridge. Out of navigation, the cockpit can be more widely protected from the outside and open to the rear space.

    Fully opened behind this cockpit, we have not developed two living spaces duplicating one inside the other but a single large space which is ajustable. We have focused our efforts on the geometry of the material and visual limits of this space and on the opening kinematics of the bays. Once opened, they “disappear” to transform the interior into an exterior. The generosity of these openings also allows to modulate the ventilation of this space by playing on a wide range of opening on its four sides

    This work on the modularity and the disappearance of limits is found at the extreme rear of the nacelle, with an articulated platform to the davits transforming it into a floor when anchored, and in the rear cabins, whose wide turning porthole eliminates the angle between side plating and back side. The cabin space is therefore generous despite the relative narrowness of the hulls.

    All these choices allow us to combine a contained hold of the nacelle, pledge control of the weight estimate, to a generous living space, with a central part given to navigation and maneuvering. The slenderness of the forward spikes, the significant free height under the platform, and the attention paid to the centering of the masses, complete the marine qualities expected for an offshore navigation program.

    The other originality of the project brought by this new construction site is in the approach of “eco-design” on materials and construction. Strongly limiting the use of molds, the latter brings a greater margin of freedom in the variations and evolutions of the boats thus conceived. ”

    Christophe Barreau et Frédéric Neuman

  • Architects and Naval Engineers

    Christophe BARREAU
    Frédéric NEUMAN

    “The cruising program for this new boat raises the question of the antagonism between the search for performance under sail and the pleasure of navigation, and the development of pleasant living spaces.
    The originality of the answer is provided here in the arrangement of the cockpit bringing together the helm and maneuvers to the center of the boat and in the arrangement of living space that occupies the rear of the nacelle.

    Just behind the mast the outer cockpit offers two helm stations protected from the wind and spray, a beautiful view of the sails and bows, and allows to have all the maneuvers on hand while limiting the needs to circulate on the bridge. Out of navigation, the cockpit can be more widely protected from the outside and open to the rear space.

    Fully opened behind this cockpit, we have not developed two living spaces duplicating one inside the other but a single large space which is ajustable. We have focused our efforts on the geometry of the material and visual limits of this space and on the opening kinematics of the bays. Once opened, they “disappear” to transform the interior into an exterior. The generosity of these openings also allows to modulate the ventilation of this space by playing on a wide range of opening on its four sides

    This work on the modularity and the disappearance of limits is found at the extreme rear of the nacelle, with an articulated platform to the davits transforming it into a floor when anchored, and in the rear cabins, whose wide turning porthole eliminates the angle between side plating and back side. The cabin space is therefore generous despite the relative narrowness of the hulls.

    All these choices allow us to combine a contained hold of the nacelle, pledge control of the weight estimate, to a generous living space, with a central part given to navigation and maneuvering. The slenderness of the forward spikes, the significant free height under the platform, and the attention paid to the centering of the masses, complete the marine qualities expected for an offshore navigation program.

    The other originality of the project brought by this new construction site is in the approach of “eco-design” on materials and construction. Strongly limiting the use of molds, the latter brings a greater margin of freedom in the variations and evolutions of the boats thus conceived. ”

    Christophe Barreau et Frédéric Neuman

  • Founders
    Olivier KAUFFMANN
    Gautier KAUFFMANN

    Who could know if it is the father or the son who is the most  passionate? It doesn’t matter. The important thing  is to write an innovative project within a family culture, for today and for generations to come. Hand over the guiding light, this is Olivier Kauffmann’s will. “At first I wanted to make my own boat, for me and my family; go on trip around the world living on a  efficient and pleasant catamaran. I dreamed of a new quality of space. Today, the dream has matured, and I want to share it with the great family of sailors. »

    Windelo is the desire to expose us to something new, innovative, powerful, bigger than oneself. To seek innovations on materials, techniques of industrialization and uses to impulse a new economic reality. “We want to be part of this transformation related to the respect of our environment, it is for us, essential to work in this respect of men and nature. Men are at the heart of the project with the desire to recruit and form a passionate team, surrounded by experts recognized as the best in their field.

    And the innovation doesn’t stop here, because the constructive process makes it possible to envisage fast evolutions from one boat to another while remaining well priced. An ambitious and respectful project ; Welcome to the Windelo adventure.

  • Chercheurs aux Mines d’Alès
    Patrick IENNY
    Didier PERRIN
    Démarche écologique

    Dans le cadre de la confection de nouveaux types de catamaran made in Occitanie, un choix audacieux d’innovation écologique a été retenu en partenariat avec le Centre des Matériaux des Mines d’Alès (C2MA – IMT MINES ALES) (Gard). Il s’agit à la fois d’allier performance écologique en termes de minimisation de l’empreinte environnementale et résistance des structures, et ce, dans une démarche globale d’économie circulaire sur l’ensemble des parties du bateau. Pour ce faire, et en lien avec l’IMT MINES ALES, Windelo a misé sur l’utilisation de matières premières secondaires, compétitives des matériaux pétrosourcés vierges, et parfaitement conformes au cahier des charges sur le plan des performances mécaniques. C’est un réel premier pas vers l’élaboration d’une flotte de navires 2.0 s’intégrant complètement dans les enjeux et défis écologiques du XXIème siècle.

    Résistance des matériaux et tests mécaniques

    Associées à une démarche écologique d’économie circulaire intégrant une part non négligeable de matières premières secondaires concurrentielles des matières vierges, l’architecture de conception et la résistance des matériaux des nouveaux catamarans de Windelo sont éprouvées par des tests mécaniques réalisés au Centre des Matériaux des Mines d’Alès (C2MA – IMT MINES ALES) (Gard) en lien avec les architectes et designers du projet. La conception du navire, et en particulier les bordées et étraves, passe par une recherche de structuration performante de l’agencement des matériaux le composant, combinée à une géométrie d’assemblage optimisée sur le plan mécanique. Pour ce faire, des développements d’essais spécifiques, comme l’étude de la déformation de la structure des panneaux constituant la coque du navire, sont étudiés par des techniques de corrélation d’image numériques couplés à des essais de résistance mécanique normalisés.

  • Fondateur de Catana
    Jean Pierre PRADE

    La rencontre avec Olivier et Gautier a été une agréable surprise pour moi, dès l’exposé de leur projet, j’ai vu réunis tous les ingrédients d’une réussite, l’expérience de gestion d’entreprises mais avec une modestie rassurante, le souci de former une équipe des meilleurs experts (sourire) et une réelle écoute de leurs avis.
    Au fil des rencontres, les discussions ont ravivé mes souvenirs de la création puis du développement de Catana.
    Les mêmes motivations, la même recherche de perfection, la même audace teintée de modestie que nous avions au départ du projet.
    Windelo est centrée sur le produit ; une ligne de catamarans performants construits avec les techniques les plus modernes.
    Je n’en avais pas conscience à l’époque mais je crois que le succès d’un bon bateau vient de cette passion pour la mer avec la volonté de marier confort sécurité et performance. Je retrouve ici cette passion, et aujourd’hui ce qui a fini de me conquérir c’est le souci de préservation de la nature, tant dans les matériaux choisis que dans les méthodes de production.

  • Architectes et Ingénieurs navals
    Christophe BARREAU
    Frederic NEUMAN

    Le programme de grande croisière auquel se destine ce nouveau bateau pose la question de l’antagonisme entre d’une part la recherche de performances sous voiles et du plaisir de navigation, et d’autre part l’aménagement d’espaces de vie agréables et généreux.
    L’originalité de la réponse apportée ici réside dans la disposition du cockpit rassemblant poste de barre et manœuvres au centre du bateau et dans le traitement de l’espace de vie qui occupe l’arrière de la nacelle.
    Juste en arrière du mât le cockpit extérieur offre deux postes de barre protégés du vent et des embruns, une belle vue sur les voiles et sur les étraves, et permet d’avoir l’ensemble des manœuvres à portée de main tout en limitant les besoins de circuler sur le pont. Hors navigation, le cockpit peut être plus largement protégé de l’extérieur et s’ouvrir sur l’espace arrière.
    De plein pied en arrière de ce cockpit, nous n’avons pas aménagé deux espaces de vie dupliqués l’un à l’intérieur et l’autre à l’extérieur mais un seul grand espace dont le degré d’ouverture est très largement modulable. Nous avons porté notre effort sur la géométrie des limites matérielles et visuelles de cet espace et sur les cinématiques d’ouverture des baies. Une fois ouvertes elles « disparaissent » pour transformer l’intérieur en extérieur. La générosité des ouvrants permet également de moduler la ventilation de cet espace en jouant sur une large gamme d’ouverture sur ses quatre côtés
    Ce travail sur la modularité et sur la disparition des limites se retrouve à l’extrême arrière de la nacelle, avec une plateforme articulée aux bossoirs se transformant en plancher au mouillage, et dans les cabines arrières dont le large hublot tournant fait « sauter » l’angle entre bordé latéral et face arrière. L’espace de cabine est donc généreux malgré la relative étroitesse des coques.
    L’ensemble de ces choix nous permet de conjuguer une emprise contenue de la nacelle, gage de maîtrise du devis de poids, à un espace à vivre généreux, avec une place centrale accordée à la navigation et aux manœuvres. L’élancement des pointes avant, l’importante hauteur libre sous nacelle, et l’attention portée au centrage des masses, complètent les qualités marines attendues pour un programme de navigation hauturière.
    L’autre originalité du projet apportée par ce nouveau chantier se trouve dans l’approche
    d’« éco-conception » portant sur les matériaux et le mode constructif. Limitant fortement le recours aux moules ce dernier apporte une plus grande marge de liberté dans les déclinaisons et évolutions des bateaux ainsi conçus.

  • Les fondateurs
    Olivier KAUFFMANN
    Gautier KAUFFMANN

    Qui sait lequel du père ou du fils est le plus passionné ? Peu importe. L’important ici est d’écrire un projet innovant au sein d’une culture familiale, pour aujourd’hui et les générations à venir. Passer le flambeau, le relais ; c’est la volonté d’Olivier Kauffmann. « Au début je voulais me faire mon propre bateau, pour ma famille et moi ; partir faire un tour du monde sur un catamaran performant et plaisant à vivre. Je rêvais à une qualité d’espace inédite. Aujourd’hui, l’envie a mûrit, et je tiens à le partager avec la grande famille des marins ».

    Windelo c’est l’envie de s’exposer à quelque chose de nouveau, d’innovant, de performant, de plus grand que soi. Aller chercher des innovations sur des matériaux, des techniques d’industrialisation, des usages et impulser une nouvelle réalité économique. « Nous voulons faire partie de cette transformation liée au respect de notre environnement, c’est pour nous indispensable d’œuvrer dans ce respect des hommes et de la nature. Les hommes sont au cœur du projet avec la volonté de recruter et former une équipe de passionnés, entourés d’experts reconnus comme les meilleurs dans leur domaine ».

    Et l’innovation ne s’arrête pas là, car le process constructif permet d’envisager des évolutions rapides d’un bateau à un autre tout en restant bien placé en prix. Projet ambitieux et respectueux, bienvenu(e) dans l’aventure Windelo.